The Twins have not announced a starter for Saturday’s game. Righthander Anthony Swarzak is the in-house candidate. Righthander Trevor May is in line to pitch Saturday and could make his major league debut in a pitcher’s park against a playoff-bound team. … The Twins are starting a seven-game road trip and are in a run during which they play 13 of 15 games on the road. … The Twins tied a season high with four stolen bases Wednesday against San Diego and are 4-2 in games in which they steal at least three. … Brian Dozier is 2-for-18 in his career against Kazmir. … Josh Willingham is batting .313 against Hammel with a home run and four RBI. … Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he’ll use Jordan Schafer in left and right field some, but the goal is to get him to play center so Danny Santana can move to shortstop.

ATHLETICS UPDATE

Oakland has won 11 of the past 12 games played between the clubs, going back to 2012. That includes a three-game sweep at Target Field in April. … The last time the teams met in Oakland, the Athletics swept the Twins in a four-game series last September, outscoring them 39-14 in the process. … Shortstop Jed Lowrie didn’t start Tuesday or Wednesday because of a swollen right index finger, but it has improved enough that he is expected to start Thursday against the Twins. … Former Twin Nick Punto is on the disabled list because of a strained right hamstring. … Outfielder Sam Fuld, traded by the Twins to Oakland on July 31, is batting .220 through his first 12 games of his second stint with the A’s. … Lester got the win June 17 against the Twins in Boston’s 2-1 victory. He was dealt to Oakland on deadline day.